Bird survey in Silent Valley records 192 species

A broad vertebrate survey conducted successful Silent Valley National Park documented 192 vertebrate species, highlighting the singular avian diverseness of the region. The survey, held from March 6 to 8, covered some the halfway and buffer zones of the nationalist park.

During the survey, participants recorded uncommon migratory taxon specified arsenic the Asian location martin and the Western location martin. Around 85 birdwatchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu took portion successful the exercise.

Assistant Wildlife Warden V.S. Vishnu, who coordinated the initiative, said this was the archetypal clip specified an extended survey had been carried retired crossed the full nationalist park.

The survey was jointly organised by the Kerala Forest section and the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS). The squad documented 20 vertebrate taxon endemic to the Western Ghats, including the Nilgiri laughingthrush, Black-and-orange flycatcher, White-bellied treepie, Nilgiri pipit, White-bellied bluish flycatcher and Nilgiri sholakili.

Researchers besides recorded grounds of breeding successful astir 11 species, including the Sri Lanka frogmouth (Mackachikada), Indian nightjar (Rachukk), Bronzed drongo (Lalithakaka), Malabar trogon (Theekaka), Crimson-backed sunbird (Cheruthenkili), Purple-rumped sunbird (Manjathenkili), Malabar grey hornbill (Kozhi Vezhambal), and Malabar imperial pigeon (Pokana).

Although vertebrate surveys had antecedently been conducted successful antithetic parts of the park, this was the archetypal survey to screen each 21 wood camps, including high-altitude locations specified arsenic Poochipara, Koomban, Sispara, Meenbhani and Walakkad.

Among the camps, Anavaayi recorded the highest fig of taxon (95), followed by Thathengalam (94), Uppukandam (93) and Keeripara (92). The survey besides noted a steadfast diverseness of birds of prey, including nocturnal raptors specified arsenic owls and nightjars.

Silent Valley National Park Wildlife Warden G. Harikrishnan Nair inaugurated the survey. Apart from Mr. Vishnu, Deputy Range Forest Officer K.E. Bijumon and MNHS representatives Jafer Palot, Sathyan Meppayur and Naveenlal Payyeri led the survey teams.